Sentence Improvement for SAT
Improve the sentence making skill by practising these questions.
Questions
Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
Nothing can possibly be conceived in this world, which can be called good, without qualification, except goodwill.
- Nothing can possibly be conceived in this world
- Nothing can be possibly conceived in the world
- Nothing can be possibly conceived in world
- Nothing can possibly be conceived in a world
- Nothing cannot possibly be conceived in this world
Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
I have adopted in this work the method which I think most suitable, proceeding analytically from common knowledge to the determination of its ultimate principle.
- I have adopted in this work the method which I think most suitable
- I have adopted in this work the method which I think the more suitable
- I have adopted in this work the method which I think is the most suitable
- I have adopted in this work the method which I think was more suitable
- I had adopted in this work the method which I thought was the most suitable
Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
You will be sorry by the time I have finished you up.
- by the time I have finished you up.
- by the time I have finished with you.
- at the time I have finished up with you.
- of the time I have finished you up.
- by the time I have finished you.
Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
Let two separate portions of tea leaves be macerated by precisely the same processes in similar and separate vessels, the one containing harder and the other softer water, either hotter or cooler, the infusion made with the soft water will have by far a strongest taste, although it possesses less color than the infusion made with the hard water.
- the one containing harder and the other softer water, either hotter or cooler, the infusion made with the soft water will have by far a strongest taste,
- one containing hard water and other soft, either hotter (or) colder the infusion made with the soft water will have the strongest taste
- one containing hard or soft water, either hot or cold, the infusion made with soft water will have the strongest taste
- one containing hard water and the other soft, either hot or cold; the infusion made with soft water will have a stronger taste
- one containing hard water and other soft, either hot or cold, the infusion made with soft water will have the strongest taste
Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
Not only are moral laws essentially distinguished from every other kind of practical knowledge, but all moral philosophy rests wholly on them.
- but all moral philosophy rests wholly on them.
- but all moral philosophy also rests wholly on them.
- but even all moral philosophy rests wholly on them.
- but all moral philosophy rest wholly on them.
- but all moral philosophy also rest wholly on them.
Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
We can conceive the relation of end to duty in two ways; either starting from the end to find the dutiful actions; and conversely, setting out from these actions to find the end.
- and conversely, setting out from these actions to find the end.
- and in converse of that, setting out from these actions to find the end.
- or conversely, setting it out from these actions to find the end.
- or conversely, setting out from these actions to find the end.
- and conversely, setting from these actions to find the end.
Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
Shakespeare's' Othello' along with several other dramas are going to be played at the theatre.
- are going to be played at the theatre.
- were going to be played at the theatre.
- are going to be played on the theatre.
- is going to be played at the theatre.
- is going to be played on the theatre.
Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
Irritated by the contumacy of the chancellor, the Diet had sent a command to him to recognize the authority of the emperor.
- had sent a command to him to recognize the authority of the emperor.
- has sent a command to him to recognize the authority of the emperor.
- sent a command to him to recognize the authority of the emperor.
- sent a command to recognize the authority of the emperor.
Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
It appears that beside this general cause of divergence, the staid and unenthusiastic character of Mrs. Otis rather chilled the ardor of her husband.
- It appears that beside this general cause of divergence,
- It appeared that beside the general cause of divergence,
- It appears that besides the general cause of divergence,
- It did appear that beside the general cause of divergence,
- It appears that besides the cause of general divergence,
Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
Mother Nature helps us survive in this world; something as simple as a tree provides us with so much - food, shade, wood and oxygen - and expects nothing in return.
- something as simple as a tree provides us with so much - food, shade, wood and oxygen -
- something simple as a tree provides us with so much: food shade, wood and oxygen
- something simple as a tree provides us with so much; food, shade, wood and oxygen:
- something as simple as a tree provides us with so much; food, shade, wood and oxygen:
- something like tree which simply provides us with - food, shade, wood and oxygen -
Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
You are very impatient with her; you should be a bit considerate.
- very impatient with her
- very impatient of her
- too impatient to her
- too impatient with her
- very impatient to her
Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
It is a notion peculiar in ethics; that subjective end is subordinate to the objective end.
- It is a notion peculiar in ethics; that
- It is a notion peculiar in ethics; which
- It is a notion peculiar to ethics, that
- It is a notion particular of ethics, that
- It is a notion peculiar to ethics, which
Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
Moderations in the affections and passions, self control and calm deliberation is not only good in many respects, constitutes part of the intrinsic worth of the person; but they are far from deserving to be called good without qualification although they have been praised by the ancients.
- is not only good in many respects, constitutes part of the intrinsic worth of the person; but they are
- are not only good in many respects constituting part of the intrinsic worth of the person, but
- is good in many respects and constitutes part of the intrinsic worth of the person and are also
- are good in many respects and constitute part of the intrinsic worth of person; but they are
- are good in many respects, constitute part of the intrinsic worth of people, but which are
Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
He asked his supporters to prepare them for shouldering greater responsibilities.
- to prepare them for shouldering greater responsibilities.
- preparing them for shouldering greater responsibilities.
- to prepare themselves for shouldering greater responsibilities.
- to prepare them in shouldering greater responsibilities.
- to prepare themselves in shouldering greater responsibilities.
Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
The magazine contains a considerable number of words, and a few consecutive texts transcribed partly or wholly in the new system of spelling and these necessarily will have to be assessed as evidence of contemporary English pronunciation by students of the subject.
- and a few consecutive texts transcribed partly or wholly in the new system of spelling and these necessarily will have
- along with a few consecutive texts partly (or) as a whole in the new system of spelling and these are.
- which have a few consecutive texts, transcribed in part (or) wholly in the new system of spelling and these have.
- and consecutive texts which are transcribed as a part (or) in whole in the new system and might have.
- and a couple of consecutive texts, transcribed partly or wholly in the new system of spelling and these necessarily would.